Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 15, 2025 ...

1985 V917 front shocks

June 10, 2018, 04:56:46 pm

Can someone help me with front shock replacement on 85 V917 chassis.  The top bolt on shock does it have a nut on the frame rail side?  What is the best practice to remove the bolt?

Thanks
Philip

Quote Selected

Re: 1985 V917 front shocks

Reply #1 – June 10, 2018, 05:15:52 pm

If the top bolt is part of the shock or separate from the coach frame I would just drill thru the outside nut until I have a hole close to the bolt thread size. Then a little percussion persuasion with a hammer and you have overcome the rust factor and nuckle busting effort.
Have done it many times on Chrysler products with their cheap stamped nuts that one couldn't get a good grip on.
First time was after my wrench slipped on my New Yorker and I lost my balance and sliced the heel of my hand open on a hub cap.

Quote Selected

Re: 1985 V917 front shocks

Reply #2 – June 10, 2018, 08:32:18 pm

 My 88- 917;  The inner has a nut up tight to the fuel tank.  You will need to bend a wrench to go around the corner with a slight offset.  1, 1/8 in    . I shimmed the nut into the wrench with a piece of paper to hold the nut enough to thread the bolt into it.
 There is also a washer under the nut that is about impossible to get back on.  You can also loosen or remove the lower shock bracket to  put it back together. 
 I used my phone to get a better view.

Quote Selected

Re: 1985 V917 front shocks

Reply #3 – July 14, 2018, 11:15:44 am

Thank You I had to drop the tank.  rides much better.  Used Monroe Gas Magnum shocks.

Quote Selected

Re: 1985 V917 front shocks

Reply #4 – July 15, 2018, 05:38:59 pm

I offered the wrench to avoid removing the tank.. It is tight to the tank but the custom bent wrench got it loose.

Quote Selected

Re: 1985 V917 front shocks

Reply #5 – July 15, 2018, 07:57:45 pm

Mike could you post a picture of your wrench. I got a 6-8 custom wrenches from various vehicles I got rid of long ago, they still come in handy. Most common mod was to grind down the box end wrenches outer diameter.

Quote Selected

Re: 1985 V917 front shocks

Reply #6 – July 15, 2018, 08:00:59 pm

Oh yeah a hot glue gun works pretty good to bind nuts to washers temporarily. Or nuts to the wrench.

Quote Selected

Re: 1985 V917 front shocks

Reply #7 – July 16, 2018, 11:16:00 pm

Phred, text me at 352...42..88..9.83  I 'll send pics of the wrench for the shocks and air bags. 

Quote Selected